KSA: Flynas to give co-pilot positions to Saudi women

Riyadh-based low budget airline Flynas has announced it will soon start recruiting Saudi women as co-pilots on flights in a move to enable the kingdom’s women “to have a greater role in supporting the kingdom’s economy.”

Flynas CEO Bandar Almohanna made the announcement in a statement. The airline seeks to become the first Saudi airline to give the chance to Saudi women.

The plan falls in line with the kingdom’s ongoing reforms seeking to delete its image as the most conservative Arab country where women have to seek for male guardians to marry or to travel.

As part of the reforms guided by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, the kingdom lifted on June 24 the ban on women’s rights to drive. Authorities have also announced the recruitment of women in the security forces and in the judiciary system.

Founded in 2007, Flynas operates domestic as well as international flights to locations including Dubai, Istanbul, Jordan, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.

The airline operates a fleet of 30 aircraft, all of them Airbus A320 with two configurations, Business and Economy, its website says.